Support device, and dishwasher comprising said device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a support device for holding dishing goods in a dishwasher comprising at least one basket. The support device comprises: support means for arranging the support device on the at least one basket; and holding means for holding the dishing goods in a position vertically displaced from the basket. The present invention furthermore relates to a dishwasher comprising the support device according to the invention. The invention furthermore relates to a dishwasher comprising said support device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a support device for arrangement along one side of a basket in a dishwasher, and a dishwasher comprising the support device according to the invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dishwashers are frequently used household machines in order to facilitate the daily work in private homes and restaurants. Dishwasher for use in households comprises a washing chamber that is accessed via an opening in the front side of the dishwasher. The opening is closed by a door. Dirty items are arranged in the washing chamber, for example in baskets, and when the dishwasher is activated sprayed by water that is circulated in the washing chamber.

Since the space within the washing chamber is limited, baskets and/or racks are arranged in the washing chamber in order to make it possible to arrange a number of plates, pots, glasses, and cutleries etc at different levels within the washing chamber for simultaneous dishing in the dishwasher. However, the storing baskets and/or racks are provided with support arrangements that intend to maintain the different items in the intended position, and prevent the items from falling and in worst case break. Unfortunately, these arrangements make it difficult to fit items with a different size or shape than the intended items that the arrangement is designed for. Furthermore, it might be difficult to pack larger items, alternatively items different to the one the basket is designed for.

There is consequently a need for improved storing solutions and arrangements that increase the flexibility and makes it possible to pack larger items within the dishwasher.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, defined in the appended claims, provides a support device for holding dishing goods in a dishwasher comprising at least one basket that to at least some extent fulfils the needs defined above.

The support device comprises:

-   -   support means (21; 41; 61) for arranging the support device on         the at least one basket; and     -   holding means (27; 47; 67) for holding the dishing goods in a         position vertically displaced from the basket (16 a, 16 b).

The claimed support device fulfils the needs defined above since the support device makes it possible to pack dishing goods in a further level within the washing chamber of the dishwasher. This additional packing level is either located above the dishing goods in the basket, or below the basket. Dishwashers could be designed in many different ways comprising one, two, three or any number of baskets arranged at different vertical heights within the washing chamber and the support device according to the invention could be arranged on anyone of the baskets.

The space above, between or below the basket or baskets within the washing chamber has up to now been impossible to use in an effective way for packing further dishing goods and the support device consequently increases the packing capacity of the dishwasher without requiring any increase of the overall size of the dishwasher.

The support device is either integrated in the baskets during the production of the baskets, or formed as a separate component that is fitted to the basket afterwards which is beneficial since older baskets could be upgraded and the efficiency of existing dishwashers increased.

In one embodiment of the support device, the support means comprises an elongated member comprising a first end and a second end, said first end is intended to be arranged on the basket and said holding means are arranged in the second end of the member. This embodiment facilitates the packing of the dishing goods since the holding means, due to their location in the end of the elongated member, are arranged a distance from the basket where they are easy to access.

In one embodiment of the support device, the holding means comprises a first support and a second support. The second support comprises a first part extending from the elongated member, or first support, such that an outwardly extending, preferably substantially perpendicular, support surface is generated adjacent to the first support or elongated member and a second part extending from an outer end of the first member substantially parallel to the first support such that a gap, intended for a part of said dishing goods, is formed between the first and second support such that the dishing goods is supported vertically displaced from the basket. This embodiment of the support device provides a reliable and rigid support for the dishing goods. Furthermore this embodiment of the holding means of the support device makes it possible to for the holding means to hold dishing goods with different size and design.

In one embodiment of the support device, the first and second support has substantially the same length in order to provide the desired support for larger dishing goods.

In one embodiment of the support device, the second support member is ended by a substantially spherical member with larger diameter than the width of the second support member. This embodiment is very favourable since the spherical element result in a small contact surface between the holding means of the support device and the dishing goods which are advantageous for the dishing result since only a limited amount of dishing water or dirt will remain in the contact area.

In one embodiment of the support device, the first and second supports are formed of wires or rods. The support formed of wires result in small contact surface between the support device and the dishing goods which is advantageous for the dishing result. Furthermore, the wires have a small thickness and high rigidity which is favourable since the impact on the water circulating in the dishwasher is minimised.

In one embodiment of the support device, the first and/or second support each are formed by two or more thin elements, for example wires or rods, arranged side by side. The fact that the support members are formed of two or more element increases the stability of the goods packed in the additional level.

The invention furthermore relates to a dishwasher comprising:

-   -   a washing chamber;     -   at least one basket extractably arranged in the washing chamber,         said basket comprising at least one side and a bottom; and

at least one support device according to anyone of the previous claims arranged to provide the additional storage position for dishing goods vertically displaced from the basket.

The support device according to the invention makes it possible to increase the amount of dishing goods that could be packed in a dishwasher of conventional design without increasing the overall size of the dishwasher. The support device and dishwasher according to the invention reduces the dishwasher's energy consumption by increasing the amount of dishing goods that could be dished every time the dishwasher is activated. This is advantageous since the environmental impact from the dishwasher is reduced.

In one embodiment of the dishwasher, the at least one support device is extending in substantially vertical direction from the basket in order to achieve the vertically displaced storage area above or below the basket.

In one embodiment of the dishwasher, two or more support devices are arranged on the basket to support the dishing goods. The use of several support devices in combination facilitates the packing of larger dishing goods in the dishwasher.

In one embodiment of the support device, the at least one baskets is rectangular with four sides and support devices are arranged along two sides.

The different embodiment described above could of course be combined and modified in different ways without departing from the scope of the invention that will be described more in detail in the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Different embodiments of a support device according to the present invention are schematically illustrated in the appended figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective schematic view of a dishwasher.

FIG. 2 illustrates the interior design of the washing chamber in a dishwasher.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of a support device according to the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative interior design of the washing chamber in a dishwasher.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of a support device according to the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a third alternative interior design of the dishwasher and support device.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic illustration of a fourth embodiment of a support device according to the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic illustration of a fifth embodiment of a support device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIG. 1, a perspective schematic view of dishwasher 10 is illustrated. The dishwasher comprise a washing chamber 11 surrounded by a substantially rectangular cabinet 12. The washing chamber 11 comprises an opening 15 in the front side of the dishwasher in order to make the washing chamber 11 accessible during loading and unloading of items in and from the washing chamber. The opening 15 is closed by a door 13 in order to make it possible to access, and close, the opening 15 of the washing chamber 11. Within the washing chamber 11, an upper (16 a) and lower basket 16 b for dirty items are arranged at different heights. The baskets are extractably arranged in the washing chamber and formed of thin elements like for example wires or rods in order to provide a basket structure that the water could flow through easily. The dishwasher 10, illustrated in FIG. 1, comprises two wire baskets 16 arranged on guide rails 17. The lower one is normally used for larger dishing goods like plates, pots etc, and the upper one for cups, glasses and smaller items. The number of baskets could however be increased further to comprise for example a third basket for small dishing goods and cutleries arranged in the top of the washing chamber.

When the dishing goods are loaded in the baskets 16 a and 16 b, the dishwasher is activated and the selected washing program started. Heated water, in combination with detergent, is circulated in the washing chamber by a water circulating system comprising at least a water pump connected to at least one rotating spray arm 8 arranged in the washing chamber in order to clean the dishing goods in the baskets and the cutlery rack.

In FIG. 2, a schematic illustration of the interior design of the space within the dishwasher washing chamber described above is illustrated. The lower basket 16 b has a substantially rectangular shape with four side walls 18 b extending in substantially vertical direction from a basket bottom 19 b arranged substantially horizontal within the dishwasher. The lower basket could also be provided with an additional storage arrangement in the form of shelves arranged at an elevated level within the basket. If dishing goods of small size is packed on the basket bottom level, the shelves could be used in order to provide an additional storage level within the basket for further small items.

Along the two side walls extending between the front and back side of the washing chamber 11 support devices 20 according to the present invention are arranged. Support devices could also be arranged along the back side of the basket but this position will make it difficult to pack the dishing goods in the vertically displaced position since the support devices are complicated to reach. Alternatively the support devices could be arranged along the front side of the basket as long as they not complicate the packing of goods in the basket 16 b.

Each support device 20, illustrated in FIG. 3, comprises support means 21 and means 22 for arranging the support device along the side 18 b of the basket 16 b. The means 22 for arranging the support device on the basket is either an attachment member that is snap fitted on one, or more, wires or elements of the basket 16 b, or a first 23 and a second 24 attachment device that are clamped around one or more wires of the basket by screws 25 to provide a reliable securing of the support device 20 to the basket 16. In order for the support device to work as intended, the means 22 for arranging the support device on the basket must be prevented from turning when exposed to the loads from the dishing goods. The support device 20 is preferably easy to attach and detach in order to make it possible for the user to adapt the dishwasher interior as desired.

The support means 21 comprises an elongated member 26 extending substantially vertically upwards from the means 22 for attaching the support device 20 on the lower basket 16 b. The elongated member 26 is elongated in order to extend above the upper edge of the sides of the basket 16 b as well as the layer, or layers, of dishing goods packed on the basket bottom 19 b and hold the dishing goods in the vertically displaced position above the layer of dishing goods packed in the basket 16 b. The additional packing level must however be located below the bottom of the upper basket 16 a and the rotating spray arm to avoid that the rotation of the spray arm is stopped.

In the upper end of the elongated member 26, holding means 27 for dishing goods are arranged. The holding means 27 are designed to provide the desired support for different types of goods like pots, serving dishes or pans. The holding means 27 comprises a first support 28 extending substantially vertically upwards from the elongated member 26, and a second support 29 comprising a first part 30 extending from the elongated member 26, or first support 28, such that a substantially horizontal support surface 31 is generated adjacent to the first support member 28 and a second part 32 extending from an outer end 33 of the first part 30 substantially parallel to the first support 28 such that a gap, intended for a part or section of said dishing goods, is formed between the first 28 and second support 29 such that the pot or cooking utensil is held in an elevated position above the dishing goods packed in the lower basket 16 by the first 28 and second support 29 and the substantially horizontal support surface 31 extending between the vertically extending first 28 and second support 29.

In the schematically illustrated support device, the first 28 and second 29 supports have substantially the same vertical height from the horizontal support surface 31 to provide the desired support of the dishing goods. This embodiment of the holding means 27 are intended to hold a side wall of the dishing goods but alternative embodiments adapted to hold a handle extending from an outside surface of the dishing goods are possible.

In the support device 20 arranged along the right side of the basket 18 in FIG. 2 and the support device 20 in FIG. 3, the second support member 29 is ended by a substantially spherical member 34 with larger diameter than the width of the second support member 29. The spherical member 34 ensures a small contact surface between the dishing goods and the support device 20 which improves the washing result. The spherical member could be made of an elastic material to prevent scratches in the dishing goods.

The first 28 and second support 29 are preferably formed of thin elements like wires or rods to have a limited impact on the water circulating within the washing chamber. If one thin element not provides the desired support for the dishing goods, the first 28 and/or second support 29 could be formed by two or more thin elements extending side by side or at distance from each other to increase the stability of the holding means. The first and second support member could however be embodied in several different way depending on the type of goods they are designed for.

In FIGS. 4 and 5 an alternative embodiment of a support device 40 according to the invention is schematically illustrated. The upper basket 16 a has a rectangular shape with four sides 18 a and a bottom 19 a corresponding to the shape of the lower basket 16 b described above. However, the sides of the upper basket normally has a slightly smaller vertical height since the upper basket is intended for smaller types of dishing goods like cup, glasses or smaller pots. Along the two side walls extending between the front and back side of the washing chamber support devices 40 according to the present invention are arranged.

Each support device 40 comprises support means 41 and means 42 for arranging the support device along the side of the upper basket 16 corresponding to the embodiment described above. The means 42 for arranging the support device 40 on the basket 16 a are either an attachment member that is snap fitted on one or more wires of the basket, or a first 43 and a second 44 attachment device that are clamped around one or more wires of the basket to provide a reliable securing of the support device 42 to the basket. The first and second attachment device could for example be secured together by one or more screws 45 or similar.

The support means 41 comprises a support member 46 extending substantially vertically downwards from the means 42 for arranging the support device on the upper basket 16 a. The support member 46 is elongated in order to extend below the bottom of the basket 16 a and hold the dishing goods in the position below the upper basket 16 a, and above the goods packed in the lower basket 16 b.

In the lower end of the support member 46, holding means 47 for dishing goods are arranged. The holding means 47 are designed to provide the desired support for different types of goods like pots, serving dishes and pans. The holding means 47 have the shape of a hook on which the goods are arranged to be held in the intended position below the upper basket. In FIGS. 2, 4 and 6 dishing goods supported in the vertically displaced position by different embodiments of the support device according to the invention are schematically illustrated.

The holding means 47 comprises at least one element 48 extending a first distance substantially horizontally from the support member to generate a horizontal support surface 49 before it continues in a substantially vertical direction upwards to generate a gap between the support member and the element. A section of the dishing goods is arranged within the gap of the holding means to hold the dishing goods in the desired vertically displaced position below the bottom of the upper basket 16. The distance from the top end of the element 48 and the bottom surface of the upper basket 16 must be large enough to make it possible to insert the intended dishing goods in the holding means 47.

Similar to the embodiment described above, the element could be ended by a substantially spherical member 50 with larger diameter than the width of the element 48 to ensure a small contact surface between the dishing goods and the support device 40.

The support member and the element are preferably also in this embodiment formed of thin elements to let the water circulate within the washing chamber as easy as possible. The element could alternatively be replaced by two or more thin elements arranged side by side and extending substantially parallel to each other to increase the stability of the support device. Several different embodiments are however possible.

In FIG. 6 a further embodiment of a support device according to the invention is illustrated schematically. The support device 60 is extending from the bottom of the lower basket 16 a upwards to a height above the lower basket. The support device is positioned close to the centre of the lower basket but other positions are also possible. The number of support devices could also be increased to be able to use adjacent support devices in combination to provide the desired support for larger and/or heavier dishing goods. The support device comprises support means 61 for arranging the support device on the lower basket and holding means 67 for holding the dishing goods in the position between the upper and lower basket arranged in the upper end of the support means 61. This embodiment of the support device has a similar construction as the two previously described embodiments and will not be described in detail. One difference is however that the holding means 47 are configured to support more than one dishing goods since the position of the support device 60 in the centre of the basket 16 a makes it possible to position dishing goods in different positions around the support device 60.

A fourth embodiment of support device 70 is illustrated in FIG. 7. This embodiment of the support device have many structural features in common with the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 and is intended to extend vertically upwards from the basket 16 b. In order to further improve the stability of the support device the elongated member 76 and the holding means 77 are formed of two wires or rods extending substantially parallel to each other at a predetermined distance from each other. The support means 71 comprises an elongated member 76 extending substantially vertically upwards from the means 72 for attaching the support device 70 on the lower basket 16 b. The holding means 77 are designed to provide the desired support for different types of goods like pots, serving dishes or pans. In this embodiment the first support and second support each are formed of two parallel wires or rods.

The means 72 for arranging the support device along the side the basket 16 b is embodied to be snap fitted on one, or more, wires or elements of the basket 16 b. The means 72 comprises the lower end of the elongated member 76 that is intended to rest against the outside surface of the basket and an elastic snap element 80 that is extending from the elongated member 76 to generate a contact surface 81 that is intended to rest against one of the wires or elements that form the side of the basket. The snap element 80 is curved downwards to continue substantially parallel to the elongated member 76 before it is ended by rounded end surface 82. Close to the rounded surface 82, a locking protrusion 83 is arranged to lock the support device 70 in the intended position along the side of the basket and prevent that it is unintentionally removed from the basket. The elongated member 76 in combination with the snap element prevents the support element from turning when exposed to the loads from the dishing goods. The support device is easily attached and detached in order to make it possible for the user to adapt the dishwasher interior as desired.

A fifth embodiment of the support device 90 is illustrated in FIG. 8. This embodiment of the support device have many structural features in common with the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 and is intended to extend vertically downwards from the basket 16 a. In order to further improve the stability of the support device the holding means 97 is formed of two wires or rods. The holding means 97 are designed to provide additional support for the dishing goods. The means 92 for arranging the support device on the basket 16 a is embodied as a snap fitting. The means 92 comprises the upper end of the elongated member 96 that is intended to rest against the outside surface of the basket and an elastic snap element 110 that is extending from the elongated member 96 to generate a contact surface 111 that is intended to rest against one of the wires or elements that form the side of the basket. The snap element 110 is curved downwards to continue substantially parallel to the elongated member 96. A locking protrusion 113 is arranged to lock the support device 90 in the intended position along the side of the basket.

All the described and illustrated embodiments of the support device are designed and embodied as separate components that are intended to be mounted on the upper or lower basket. The support devices could however also be formed as an integrated part of the upper or lower basket. The support means are then formed as a protruding part of the wires or elements that are used to form the upper or lower basket at the same time as the basket is manufactured. Furthermore, the holding means could also be designed and manufactured as an integrated part of the basket and the support device, alternatively added to the basket at a later stage.

The different embodiments described above could all be combined and modified in different ways without departing from the scope of the invention that is defined by the appended claims. 

1. Support device for holding dishing goods in a dishwasher comprising at least one basket, said support device comprising: at least one holder support configured to arrange the support device on the at least one basket; and at least one holder configured to hold the dishing goods in a position vertically displaced from the basket.
 2. The support device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one holder support comprises an elongated member comprising a first end and a second end, said first end is configured to be arranged on the basket and said at least one holder are arranged in the second end of the elongated member.
 3. The support device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one holder comprises at least one first support and at least one second support comprising a first part extending from the elongated member, or first support, such that an outwardly extending support surface is defined in relation to the first support, or elongated member, and a second part extending from an outer end of the first part substantially parallel to the elongated member such that a gap is formed between the first and second support such that the gap is configured to support the dishing goods vertically displaced from the basket.
 4. The support device according to claim 3, wherein the first and second support have substantially a same length.
 5. The support device according to claim 3, wherein the second support is ended by a substantially spherical member with larger diameter than the second support.
 6. The support device according to claim 3, wherein the first and second supports are formed of wires or rods.
 7. The support device according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the first and second support is formed by two or more wires or rods arranged side by side.
 8. Dishwasher comprising: a washing chamber; at least one basket extractably arranged in the washing chamber, said basket comprising at least one side and a bottom; and at least one support device arranged to provide an additional storage position for dishing goods vertically displaced from the basket.
 9. The dishwasher according to claim 8, wherein the at least one support device is extending in substantially vertical direction from the basket.
 10. The dishwasher according to claim 9, wherein two or more support devices are arranged on the basket to support the dishing goods.
 11. The dishwasher according to claim 8, wherein the at least one basket is rectangular with four sides and support devices arranged along two sides.
 12. The dishwasher according to claim 8, wherein the at least one support device comprises: at least one holder support configured to arrange the support device on the at least one basket; and at least one holder configured to hold the dishing goods in a position vertically displaced from the basket.
 13. The dishwasher according to claim 12, wherein the at least one holder support comprises an elongated member comprising a first end and a second end, said first end is configured to be arranged on the basket and said at least one holder are arranged in the second end of the elongated member.
 14. The support device according to claim 13, wherein the at least one holder comprises at least one first support and at least one second support comprising a first part extending from the elongated member, or first support, such that an outwardly extending support surface is defined in relation to the first support, or elongated member, and a second part extending from an outer end of the first part substantially parallel to the elongated member such that a gap is formed between the first and second support such that the gap is configured to support the dishing goods vertically displaced from the basket. 